Matt Lauer zings Bob Costas with classic joke about red eyes

Bob Costas returned to his position as host of NBC’s Olympic coverage in Sochi on Monday, and his eyes are looking much better. While wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day during an appearance on “The Today Show” Friday morning, Costas fell victim to a cheap joke from Matt Lauer.

Lauer appeared to be making innocent conversation when he asked Costas when he will be leaving Sochi. Costas said he is leaving Monday. And then the punchline:

“You are?” Lauer said. “Taking the redeye home?”

Now THAT is a low blow. Costas handled it like a champ and admitted he walked right into it. He took a shot at himself over the red eyes before drinking vodka on live TV toward the beginning of the Olympics, so Costas has been a good sport about it all along. Good for him.